Customer Reviews

Andrew Extensis for Motorola Startac Phones

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This device has allowed us to cancel our second phone line and instead use our cellphones as our second line. We are able to get a dial tone on any of the six second line extensions in our home and both place and receive calls from any of them. We use our new "wireless second line" to make all of our long distance calls through our cell phone. We can plug in either my cellphone or my wife's with whichever phone is plugged in becoming the active second line number. We are saving significantly on our overall phone charges. Installation was very easy (although at first I didn't read all the instructions which guided me how to disconnect our second line from the phone company interface box---a ten second process). Quality was excellent both on incoming and outgoing calls. I called my daughter through an extension and asked her how I sounded without telling her how I was calling. She said "louder and clearer than normal". We live on the fringe of our cell

coverage area so normal cellphone quality can become spotty. The Extensis unit seemed to help perhaps by keeping the phone fully charged during operation. A friend plans on purchasing a unit to replace his multi-line cottage phone and just use his cellphone as his main line there. ALL IN ALL A GREAT DEVICE>

I have the Motorola V. Phone (V.8162 to be exact) and the extensis works perfectly with it. I must say the sound quality is really good, and my signal strength has improved. I highly recommend this product!!

I had this unit connected, like a regular incoming telephone company phone line(CO), to my PBX at the office into line #4. So, when I got into the office, I would just set the cell phone into the craddle and anywhere in the building I could just pick up line #4 and I was using my cell phone. When the line rings more than 3 times, the PBX was programmed to transfer line #4 to my assistant who picks up for me, puts them on hold (with music, thanks to the PBX, not Extensis) and pages me in the building so I can pickup line #4 (the cell phone).

I use my cell phone for long distance and it gets tiresome to be holding the phone to my ear...plus I've been concerned about holding the phone close to my head all day with all the tumor rumors (I carry a spare High Capacity battery in my pocket, two in total, that's how much I talk). This unit solves most of the problem. Tired of handing the cell phone to others so they can talk to your friends/colleagues? Well, just have them pickup a phone extension and you can both talk at the same time! I tell you, this unit is really great!

No matter how happy I was, though, the truth must be told: Don't know what happened, but this unit was working incredibly well...then one day it just...stopped working. It just doesn't seem to recognize the phone any more...tried various Startac units that my friends own (it could have been my phone - I drop it so much) but we determined it's definitely the Andrew Extensis. By the way, while using the Extensis there was no way to drop the phone...at least it was safe while in the craddle.

Andrew has done a marvelous job with this unit. I'm in the telecommunications industry, so I know Andrew Corporation very well. Never expected anything less from such an innovative company...however, I'm still trying to figure out how to claim the warranty on it. Better customer service information would be a plus (that goes for Amazon too!).

Bottom Line: It worked so well I'm buying another one while I figure out how to claim the warranty...then I'll have one at home and one in the office.

Recommendation to Andrew and Amazon: Explain how the unit works more clearly because many people don't understand what it does, so they don't buy it or look for it. Pictures, examples, stories, something!

I just completed the installation of the Extensis, the process took less than 10 minutes. My connection, although not illustrated in the instruction book works great!
Using a Siemens cordless system, I connected the Extensis device directly to the line two input of the Siemens system. This configuration allows me to have line 1 connected to the wall jack, line 2 to the Extensis (cell phone) and frees up the(old line 2) wall jack for to my computer and fax.
I will use this for my 2000 week-end minutes. The sound is excellent, no noticeable difference from a land line connection.
Come Monday, I will just re-connect line two to the wall jack!
A must for anyone who wants to expand the capabilities of cellular with the convenience of multiple cordless phones already installed throughout one's home.

I bought the Extensis to use in my college dorm because the signal is poor there. Extensis kept my battery charged which improved the signal strength and prevented dropped calls. I am using Extensis with a Motorola V.8162 and it works great. I recommend this device to anyone who uses their cell phone in their house or college dorm.

I saw similar product from another company but I bought this product because of the Andrew brand; plus this device is better looking than the other one =) When I got my unit, I connected my regular phone on line 1. Called up a friend of mine and after 12 minutes, I would hear annoying tones. We hang up and called again. After 3 minutes on the phone, the annoying tones were back. Hang up and called again and still got those annoying tones after 3 minutes. I contacted Amazon's customer service and requested a replacement unit. Amazon shipped the new unit express. I connected the new unit and it worked perfect. I made a 30min call and the sound is clear. No more annoying tones. It would be great if caller ID is passed by this device.

I left one star because product documentation is poor. They could have done it better by using detailed drawings for the line connection.

I was tired of paying Qwest for all the special features to avoid phone calls -- caller id, call curfew, no soliciation, etc. Between home phone and cell phones, my wife and I were paying $90 a month. We have dropped the home phone now and only pay $50.

This thing works perfectly as designed. If they made more models that worked with every cell phone, I would give one to everyone in my family and friends for Christmas.

People at our house don't even know we cancelled the home phone. My wife and I can be on the phone together calling someone else! The baby sitter had no idea she was calling out via a cell phone when she used to phone in our kitchen!

I recommend this to everyone with a cell phone! Cancel your home phone!

The product is a great idea that works. There are at least three other manufacturers with similar products, but this is the best one in my opinion. This is the only one that will execute the dial function automatically when you get through entering the phone number. The others require you to press the # button when you're finished. I've tried out two of the others including Cell Socket (which is the second best in my opinion). Also, some of the others do not provide a dial tone. A dial tone is not necessary for most house phones, but I'm told there are a few electronic phones that do require it.

I use this with a cordless phone in my house. My friends cannot even tell that I'm calling over a cell phone. I especially like the ability to use a regular size phone in the home as it's just easier to talk over. It also allows me to keep my regular answering machine connected in the house. I'd rather get my messages off it instead of calling for my messages over the cell phone.

Unfortunately, Andrew has discontinued this product in their lineup. I like it so much that I bought an extra --- just in case. I suspect it will become very hard to get soon. I have disconnected my regular wired service and haven't regretted it once.